Reach Ten calls for Sarawak funds on last mile rural connectivity
KUCHING (September 23): Reach Ten Holdings Bhd (Reach Ten) wants Sarawak’s own funding under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 directed at last-mile connectivity in the state’s hardest-to-reach communities with federal Universal Service Provision (USP) money carrying the more capital-intensive towers and backhaul. Managing director Leo Chin said splitting the cost according to…
Leo Chin, managing director of Reach Ten Holdings Bhd, has called for Sarawak's own funding under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to address last-mile connectivity in the state's remote communities. Chin argues that federal Universal Service Provision (USP) money is more suitable for capital-intensive towers and backhaul, while Sarawak's PCDS 2030 funds should target last-mile connectivity and community-specific solutions.
He highlights that while Sarawak has made significant progress in internet coverage, the remaining 5.5 percent is concentrated in difficult terrain and longhouses, where costs are astronomically higher than in urban areas. Chin advocates for splitting the cost based on comparative advantage, with federal funds covering base infrastructure and state funds focusing on rural connectivity.
He also emphasizes the need for sustained funding for Direct-to-Device (D2D) connectivity and ensures government offices, schools, and clinics receive at least 1Gbps connectivity. Chin stresses that sustained funding is crucial for operators to scale coverage faster and more cost-effectively while tower and fibre infrastructure continues to be rolled out.
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